What is defined as inclement weather?Inclement weather can include any kind of extreme weather, usually snow or ice, which mightcreate hazardous driving conditions or significantly impair normal operations at the school.Inclement weather also may include severe thunderstorm activity, tornadoes, flooding or othernatural perils.

How does the school respond to inclement weather?Generally, there are three possible responses toincidents of inclement weather:

Closure of school. In the event of a closure, school is not in session for the day and studentsshould not report to school.

Delayed opening. During a delayed opening, school officials publicly announce thespecific time at which the school will open and students should report.

Early Dismissal. In the event of an early dismissal, the school closes at a publiclyannounced time.

When will parents receive notification that school has been closed or delayed opening?Announcements will be made to local television stations, local radio stations,automated phone calling system (Connect 5), and notice posted on the SAU 24 websiteprior to 6:00 a.m. when possible.

Determination ProcedureWe often receive questions regarding the process used when contemplatingschool closings. This is always a difficult decision and we understand that a decision to openor close in bad weather has a major impact on our families. While we recognize thatstudents are best served academically by being in school, the safety of our students is alwaysour top priority.

With that in mind, there are many factors that are taken into consideration when making adecision. The following information is considered in all decisions relative to the closing, delayopening or early dismissal of school:

The SAU administrators assess the conditions of the roads andparking lots, taking into account snow, ice, and other hazards such as downed treesor power lines.

The Superintendent of Schools consults with the road agents in the towns thatare included within our SAU to evaluate the conditions and safety of the roads.

Short and long-term weather forecasts from multiple sources are reviewed.

The Superintendent of Schools consults with other schools and the local bus contractor to gather information about roadconditions in surrounding areas.

The preliminary assessment of the weather situation starts at 4:30 a.m. After considering thisassessment, the Superintendent of Schools will decide whether to open schools on schedule,delay opening or cancel school for the day. This decision will be announced prior to 6:00 a.m. whenever possible.The announcement is communicated to the public via local television stations, local radiostations, automated phone calling system (Connect 5), and posted on the SAU 24 website.

School officials may decide to delay the opening of schools by two hours if travel conditionsare potentially unsafe at 5:30 a.m. but are expected to improve during the day. They may alsodelay openings if acceptable travel conditions exist at 5:30 a.m., but weather forecastspredict that conditions may soon worsen. In the event of a delayed opening, all half-day,morning pre-K and kindergarten programs will be cancelled. A two-hour delay announcement may be followed by an announcement that the schoolis now closed for the day, if a reassessment of conditions so warrants. The decision to closeschools after previously announcing a two-hour school delay will be announced to localtelevision stations, local radio stations,automated phone calling system (Connect 5), and posted on the SAU 24 website by 8:00 a.m.